The newly-established Khalifa University of Science and Technology combines the Masdar Institute
of Science and Technology (MI), Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research
(KUSTAR), and the Petroleum Institute (PI) into one world-class, research-intensive institution,
seamlessly integrating research and education to produce world leaders and critical thinkers in
applied science and engineering.

The Masdar Institute of Science Technology and Petroleum Institute remain as research institutes
at Khalifa University, playing a critical role in the research structure and culture of the university
and serving as interdisciplinary research units focused on long-term strategic priorities.

Research is at the core of KU, as we know research has the power to transform industry, society
and regions KU’s research-focused academics seek to achieve global impact through excellence
in research domains of regional importance.

Department of Earth Sciences

Department of Earth Sciences

At Khalifa University of Science and Technology, we offer students a modern educational program leading to a BSc in Petroleum Geosciences. We have a strong research effort focused on local and regional geology. The Petroleum Geosciences Graduate Program at Khalifa University offers students the opportunity to pursue MSc and PhD degrees in Earth Sciences.

The Department of Earth Sciences at Khalifa University is an internationally recognized center of excellence in education and research in petroleum geology and geophysics, and will be the leading university center of geosciences education, continuing education, and research in the Middle East.

The Department of Earth Sciences provides high-quality education in geology and geophysics to prepare students for a wide range of successful and socially and ethically responsible professional careers. Graduates can join both the local and international petroleum industry or may find career opportunities in governmental and non-governmental companies. PhD graduates can also choose to pursue academic careers with universities in the UAE and abroad.

We invite you to explore our program today is definitely a good time to become a geoscientist!

BSc in Petroleum Geosciences
The BSc in Petroleum Geosciences aims to provide a high-quality education in petroleum geology and geophysics and to produce graduates for successful, and socially and ethically responsible, careers in the petroleum industry and other geosciences sectors. The BSc in Petroleum Geosciences features blend of geology and geophysics as they relate to the discovery and exploitation of oil and gas.

The degree program also offers an optional concentration in Petroleum Geophysics for students who wish to focus on this specific area of the geosciences. The strengths of the Petroleum Geosciences curricula include an emphasis on geosciences project work and use of modern software applications. In addition, emphasis is placed on the development of professional skills during coursework. Earth Sciences laboratories, including a computer laboratory, are well equipped, and up-to-date geophysical equipment is available for field exercises. The program features a summer field geology course for students following the Petroleum Geosciences curriculum, and a summer internship in industry for students of the Concentration in Petroleum Geophysics.

Program Enrollment and Degree Data >>

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the BSc in Petroleum Geosciences, graduates will be able to:

Apply knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, physics, geology, and geophysics to solve petroleum geosciences problems.
Apply knowledge to formulate solutions to geoscience problems involving design of geophysical surveys, acquisition and processing of geophysical data, and make geological interpretations from results.
Apply three-dimensional Earth models to solve exploration and production-type issues from appropriate geological, petrophysical and geophysical data.
Function effectively on multi-disciplinary teams.
Demonstrate an awareness of the social, ethical, and professional responsibilities in the exploration and exploitation of energy and natural resources, and a concern for major regional and global social and environmental issues.
Demonstrate an ability to communicate in oral and written forms in English appropriate to the petroleum and broad energy industry.
Demonstrate a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, continual lifelong education.
An additional outcome for the Concentration in Petroleum Geophysics will be the ability to:
Analyze, quantitatively, the errors, limitations, and uncertainties in data.

Program Objectives

The BSc in Petroleum Geosciences aims to produce graduates who will be able to:

Apply geological and geophysics knowledge and skills to recognize exploration, development, and production problems and design technically, economically, and environmentally sound solutions to find and maximize the value of petroleum resources of the UAE.
Contribute effectively, including in leadership roles, in multi-disciplinary exploration, development, and production teams.
Function ethically and with integrity such that society and industry benefit from their work as petroleum geoscientists.
Continue personal and professional growth through self-education.
Meet, or exceed, expectations of employers of the petroleum industry and other geosciences sectors in attaining technical and personal competencies.

Sanaa Masad

Muhammad Asim Iqbal

The BSc in Petroleum Geosciences requires a total of 137 credit hours. These consist of 23 credit hours of General Education Requirements, 12 credit hours of General Engineering Requirements, 30 credit hours of Mathematics & Basic Sciences, three credit hours of a free elective, and 69 credit hours of specific Major Requirements, including a four credit hour, four-week Field Petroleum Geology Course, and six credit hours of a senior research project.

The Concentration in Petroleum Geophysics requires a total of 137 credit hours. This consists of 23 credit hours of General Education Requirements (GER), 12 credit hours of College of Engineering Requirements (CER), 30 credit hours of Mathematics & Basic Sciences, three credit hours of a free elective, and 69 credit hours of specific Major Requirements, including a one credit hour, three-week internship, and six credit hours for a senior research project. The concentration includes 16 credit hours in the specialized field.

Students and faculty at Khalifa University have access to leading-edge research equipment and laboratories. This excellent research environment is enriched through strong relationships with over 20 national and international partners including industry leaders, multinational entities, government agencies, universities and other institutions.

Faculty in the Department of Earth Sciences are members of prestigious world-wide professional organizations such as American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Geophysical Union, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, European Geosciences Union, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Geological Society of America, and others.

Even if focused on petroleum geoscience, the diverse expertise of the faculty permits a variety of research opportunities, which include studies of earth surface and deep processes, geological hazards, environmental geoscience, and Quaternary geology, sedimentology/facies analysis, micropaleontology, bio- and chemo- stratigraphy, seismology, petrology, tectonics, geophysics, and geochemistry